ANGE POSTECOGLOU expects to be busy as he continues the reshaping of his Celtic squad during the January transfer window.
The Greek-Australian gaffer has just completed his triple J-League swoop for striker Daizen Maeda, midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi and versatile left-sided performer Reo Hatate plus the Hoops are also due to sign Sligo Rovers’ 18-year-old striker Johnny Kenny in a £125,000 deal.
Postecoglou now has a first-team pool of 35 players with an additional seven out on loan, according to Sky Sports News.
He still has his eyes on other recruits, but will also turn his attention to slimming down his squad after adding a dozen fresh faces in the summer.
DUTCH OF CLASS…Osaze Urhoghide challenges a Real Betis rival at Parkhead llast month.
Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide, who both arrived from Sheffield Wednesday for a joint cash outlay of around £700,000 in development fees, are likely to head out on loan for the remainder of the campaign to get much-needed game time.
The double-act have only made one start each – in the 3-2 Europa League Group win over Real Betis at Parkhead last month – and they are surplus to requirements at the moment.
Motherwell boss Graham Alexander is preparing a temporary transfer for midfielder Shaw while St Johnstone are also showing an interest in the youngster.
Versatile defender Urhoghide, a Dutch Under-21 prospect, is a target for clubs on both sides of the border and there could also be interest in his homeland.
Ewan Henderson, who scored his first Hoops goal after coming on as a substitute against Manuel Pellegrini’s side, has agreed a short-term loan switch to Hibs now coached by ex-Celt Shaun Maloney. The temporary move is likely to become permanent at the end of the campaign.
FIRST – AND LAST…Ewan Henderson claims his debut Celtic goal against Real Betis last month before agreeing the switch to Hibs.
Left-back Boli Bolingoli, who has hardly figured since his hush-hush trip to Spain to break Scottish Government Covid-19 guidelines, is also likely to be on his way before the end of the month. The Belgian spent last season on loan in Turkey.
Goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, who has flopped since his £4.5million arrival from AEK Athens in the summer of 2020, has been linked with a number of clubs in Europe, including Turkish outfits.
However, there have been no firm moves for the former Greek international No.1 who has made only two first-team appearances since Postecoglou took over as Neil Lennon’s successor in June.
There could also be a switch for £2million midfielder Ismaila Soro who has made only 23 outings since joining from Israeli club Bnei Yehuda in January 2020.
